Parsing Obama’s ‘you didn’t build that’ remark
by George Bennett | July 19th, 2012
As President Obama visits Florida today and Friday, Mitt Romney, Sen. Marco Rubio and other Republicans are offering full-throated denunciations of the president’s recent remarks about public infrastructure and individual initiative while campaigning in Roanoke, Va.
Said Obama: “If you were successful, somebody along the line gave you some help. There was a great teacher somewhere in your life. Somebody helped to create this unbelievable American system that we have that allowed you to thrive. Somebody invested in roads and bridges. If you’ve got a business, you didn’t build that. Somebody else made that happen. The Internet didn’t get invented on its own. Government research created the Internet so that all the companies could make money off the Internet. The point is, is that when we succeed, we succeed because of our individual initiative, but also because we do things together.”
Republicans say the remark that “If you’ve got a business, you didn’t build that” is a slap at hard-working entrepreneurs.
The Obama campaign’s “Truth Team” argues otherwise. The campaign website says: “The President’s full remarks show that the ‘that’ in ‘you didn’t build that’ clearly refers to roads and bridges — public infrastructure we count on the government to build and maintain.”
Conservatives aren’t buying that.
In a grammatical takedown on Wednesday, The Wall Street Journal‘s James Taranto called the Obama campaign explanation “bunk, and not only because ‘business’ is more proximate to the pronoun ‘that’ and therefore its more likely antecedent. The Truth Team’s interpretation is ungrammatical. ‘Roads and bridges’ is plural; ‘that’ is singular. If the Team is right about Obama’s meaning, he should have said, ‘You didn’t build those.’”
Tags: bnblogs
July 19th, 2012 at 3:38 pm
Today Ann Romney told the American people….
“WE’VE Given All YOU PEOPLE Need to Know’.
‘You people’……
Get it yet?
July 19th, 2012 at 3:44 pm
The questions should be… what are those words being used to justify
If those words are being used to justify higher taxes on the successful, I say those infrastructure projects were paid for with taxes paid prior to those projects being completed… and therefore not dependent upon someone becoming successful because of the creation of that infrastructure.
And lets take a business that utilizes the roadways to deliver stock and sell items… they are paying more taxes in the form of fuel taxes to maintain those roads…
July 19th, 2012 at 6:09 pm
GOP are not just LIARS….
They are DAMNED liars.
Not only that, but their candidate, Mitt Romney, is — to this day — earning money off of Bain Capital’s OUTSOURCING AMERICAN JOBS TO CHINA.
* Workers at Bain-owned plant appeal to Romney to save their jobs *
As Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney faces a withering attack over outsourcing and layoffs by his former firm, Bain Capital, employees at a Bain-owned company are appealing to Romney to stop their jobs being shipped overseas.
Romney has played no part in Sensata Technologies Inc.’s decision to move its auto-sensor business to China. But he owns millions of dollars worth of Bain funds that hold a controlling stake in the Massachusetts-based company.
The planned closure of its plant in Freeport, Illinois, could create further headaches for Romney, who is struggling to divert attacks by President Barack Obama and his campaign that portray him as a job killer who does not understand ordinary Americans.
While Obama is way ahead in polls in Illinois and the factory closure would not affect the presidential race there, it is the kind of incident that could feed his campaign’s portrayal of Romney as insensitive to job cuts by big business.
http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/07/17/us-usa-campaign-bain-idINBRE86G1BP20120717
1) Romney gets a share of Bain’s profits
2) Bain makes money outsourcing American jobs to China
3) Romney earns money off outsourcing
The SICK thing is that all Republicans know this and yet they STILL support Romney.
We lost millions upon millions of manufacturing jobs in America from 2000-2008 under George W. Bush.
Now the GOP want to elect a person who profits (PERSONALLY PROFITS) off outsourcing who has the exact same economic team as the Bush people who ran America’s economy into the ground.
If you want American job growth we need to unite around EMPLOYING AMERICANS. The best and fastest way to do that is to HIRE PEOPLE to build things. The Republicans oppose that too. It is absolutely traitorous to this country for the GOP to hold the economy for ransom as part of their 30-year plan to eliminate Medicare and Social Security and redistribute America’s wealth from the Middle Class to the richest billionaires in the world.
July 19th, 2012 at 7:46 pm
Obama’s “Elizabeth Warren” like comment in Roanoke on how government is the creator/purveyor of all will go down in history as the most left leaning socialist comment ever made by an American president. It was a disgusting display of liberalism’s misguided view of reality courtesy of a Harvard education no less…
America was created by individuals. Individuals ALLOW the government to collect taxes to be used for infrastructure building that they WILLINGLY approve – such that future individuals can continue to create wealth for themselves and growth opportunities in America.
Without individuals and their success in the private sector – there would be no government and resultant public sector opportunities. These comments by Obama and Warren are proof positive that government needs to be reset in size and jurisdiction, and sweep clean of socialists.
Think back to Edison, Bell, Wrights, Ford and many others – some self educated – who brought their ideas to life without big government, roads, electricity, or infrastructure. They did not get block grants and loans from a central socialist government or approvals from some government agency to create lights, phones, phonographs, flying machines, affordable cars, etc.
This very software [ Disqus ] used to comment here was a dream in an individual’s head, before it was an idea that became a reality. America became great due to individuals and their self initiative, not big central government directives. To think otherwise is to fall victim to the greatest con in human history, which is that socialism/collectivism leads to a utopia where everyone is treated the same and all outcomes are equal and fair. As history shows – on your way to this socialist utopia or about the time you pull into the station – the economy will meltdown and all will be lost because socialism is NOT sustainable. Your socialist utopia is a smile on an OWS dog.
July 19th, 2012 at 7:52 pm
Obama didn’t say “you didn’t build that with help” he said, “You didn’t build that” (Quite a difference isn’t it?). Plus, he followed it up by saying “someone else made that happen” Really? Who is this someone else? The phrase “someone else” implies only one individual, not the government. Who is this mystical, magical, genius who built every road, bridge, and business in the U.S.? Maybe this person, who’s name is obviously, Someone Else, should be president!
July 20th, 2012 at 1:31 am
OBAMA, where are the JOBS?
Trillions spent on a bag of tricks.
Where are the JOBS?
July 20th, 2012 at 6:50 am
Very sad that Mitt and Ann Romney need to use Ann’s medical illness to get voters. Reminds me of another Republican, Sarah Palin, who proved what a terrible mother she is when she used her Downs Syndrome baby at rally’s PATHETIC. Sarah had to get married, her unmarried teenage daughter got pregnant and her son was forced to enlist to avoid a scandal when he damaged school property in Alaska.Then Sarah used his enlistment on her campaign like it was his choice to serve his country. PHONEY
July 20th, 2012 at 7:12 am
no man is an island… we all stand on the shoulders of those before us as well as those who exist now — nuff said
July 20th, 2012 at 7:15 am
Somebody helped create this wonderful American system that allows you to thrive. Gee, I wonder who that was?
Then he wonders who built all those roads and bridges?
The Government ? Who is the Government?
We The People Are!
For The People!
By The People!
Socialists and Liberals have no concept of this, hence they try to take credit for things like inventing the Internet. (Al Gore)
This is the result of electing someone who’s resume touts his job skills as a “community organizer”.
I think we’ve seen enough of this act.
July 20th, 2012 at 7:32 am
If it takes a village, then what the hell happened to the villages in Africa?
July 20th, 2012 at 7:45 am
Mitt Romney gives 10% of his income to his church and did not take a salary while governor of MA.
As far as Obama scaring people that Romney will hurt seniors on Medicare, Please remember the FACT, that there was RomneyCare, before ObamaCare.
Mitt Romney CARED about the people that he SUCCEEDED and created healthcare for HIS state. That’s where healthcare should be. In the provence of the State, not the federal government.
The real subject should be: the economy and jobs. If people aren’t working they are unable to pay taxes and those taxes go to MEDICARE and SOCIAL SECURITY.
NO WORK-NO TAXES-NO MONEY COMING IN TO KEEP THESE PROGRAMS afloat.
President Obama has failed to move this country forward. He has done NOTHING to UNITE and bring people together. He is a DIVIDER IN CHIEF.
Who wants a country divided? That’s what Obama has done to us. He has not brought us together. He constantly belittles this country.
Mitt Romney is optimistic, loves his country (have you ever heard Obama sing patriotic songs about America?, and then Obama makes fun of Romney singing those patriotic songs), created the FIRST healthcare program in a State(MA) that Obama USED&BASED ObamaCare on (so don’t say Romney doesn’t care), ran a successful business and that is what America needs- an optimistic, successful, family man-Mitt Romney.
When one lives in S FL, which is dominated by democrats -remember we’re CORRUPTION COUNTY!-one is in the minority. VOTE in NOvember-oust ALL democrats and REclaim OUR country.
July 20th, 2012 at 7:51 am
If you want to raise the aspect of OUTsourcing JOBS, then look no further than the Space Coast here IN FL.
NASA wAs shut down, over 26,000 people LOST jobs and NOW we PAY foreign countries hundred$ and hundred$ of MILLION$ of dollars$ to put OUR astronauts into space every time they go.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2174139/American-astronaut-blasts-Russian-rocket.html
OUR taxpayer money is employing Russian workers to send OUR astronauts into space.
That’s real OUTsourcing and the USA PAY$ other countries to do that.
Thanks Obama. American workers could be sending American astronauts into space INSTEAD of Russian workers sending American astronauts into space.
OUTSOURCING=Obama OUTSOURCING=America Astronauts
July 20th, 2012 at 8:03 am
President Obama was wrong, as well as, Elizabeth Warren who worked for the President and is running for Senator of Ma. She made those same claims. If you use the roads then ‘someone and the government’ helped you be successful.
Sorry, everyone didn’t work long hours as the successful people do.
Sorry, everyone didn’t study long hours as the successful do.
Sorry, everyone didn’t take risks as the successful do.
What’s yours is mine is the Obama mantra and the mantra of those UNwilling to go the extra mile cause it’s too hard, they’re tired, they don’t want to.
Stand on your own two feet. Stop expecting to have a new car, new home, new flat screen, expensive athletic shoes. Government and hard workers aren’t supposed to make your life easy. You are EXPECTED to work hard.
shame on those who thinks others are supposed to help them instead of helping yourself (not talking about the sick, elderly or babies)
We’re raising generations who don’t value work, who think they are going to get something for nothing and are resentful of those who work to raise their standards.
Shame on President Obama for espousing such nonsense that everybody helped you become successful. It takes initiative, drive, picking yourself up, doing without, focusing on a goal. That is a PERSONAL initiative not a government initiative.
Our country will go down the drain more quickly with Obama’s way of thinking.
July 20th, 2012 at 8:10 am
Last time Obama stayed overnight in Palm Beach County, he stayed on Singer Island whose business taxes go to the predominently black city of Riviera Beach.
This time around, he’s spreading democrat money to the rich white Town.
He learns quickly who butters his bread and he now enjoys the finer things in life – a Palm Beach stay, not a Riviera Beach stay.
No minority breaks and infusion of money this time around.
July 20th, 2012 at 9:20 am
“Limited Government encourages and celebrates CHARACTER, INDEPENDENCE, ENERGY, HARD WORK as the foundations of a FREE society and a THRIVING economy — precisely the virtues Obama discounts and devalues in his accounting of the wealth of nations.”
“Beyond infrastructure, the CONSERVATIVE sees the PROPER role of GOVERNMENT as providing NOT European-style universal entitlements, but a FIRM SAFETY NET for those who REALLY canNOT make it on their OWN — those TOO YOUNG or TOO OLD, TOO MENTALLY or PHYSICALLY IMPAIRED, to PROVIDE for THEMSELVES.”
“What DIVIDES liberals and conservatives is NOT roads and bridges but Julia’s world, an Obama campaign creation that may be the most self-revealing parody of liberalism ever conceived.
It’s a series of cartoon illustrations in which a fictional Julia is SWADDLED and SUBSIDIZED throughout her life by an all- giving GOVERNMENT of bottomless pockets and “Queen for a Day” magnanimity.
At every stage, the state is there to provide — preschool classes and cut-rate college loans, birth control and maternity care, business loans and retirement. The only time she’s on her own is at her grave site.
Julia’s world is totally atomized. It contains no friends, no community and, of course, no spouse. Who needs one? She’s MARRIED to the PROVIDER state.
Krauthammer is spot on!
July 20th, 2012 at 10:06 am
Seems like more than a few of you failed reading comprehension in school. When you lift select words/phrases out of context, you distort the meaning. Taken as a whole (which they should be), the President’s remarks refer to the inter-relatedness of businesses and the environment that allows them to flourish. This has been a common theme of his Presidency, so his words are consistent with that. Success is not created in a vacuum.
July 20th, 2012 at 12:04 pm
President Obama is the liberal Messiah and the new Lord of the Universe. Bow down before him in November and sacrifice your individual freedoms on the alter of socialism.
July 20th, 2012 at 1:42 pm
BTW; We be buying a Press’Stay Tuned!
July 20th, 2012 at 1:48 pm
I disagree, Kelly. The point I took away was that if you have a successful business, it wasn’t because you’re smart (“there are a lot of smart people out there”), or because you work hard (“there are a whole bunch of hardworking people out there”). Somebody ELSE made that happen. You had help, and for that you now need to pay even more than you already do (kind of like – nice business you got there – it’d be a shame if anything happened to it …).
Mr. Obama’s comments diminish (and show distain for) the investment, risk, effort and ingenuity of individual Americans who, by themselves or collectively as corporations (I’ll save Citizens United for another post) open and run the very businesses that hire most of the people in this country.
This contempt expressed by the POTUS might be one reason investment and hiring are below expectations and the recovery (a term I use charitably) is so anemic.
“Yes We Can”? How about “No, You Didn’t”.
July 20th, 2012 at 2:56 pm
Vote for the American
July 20th, 2012 at 4:07 pm
How can this be taken out of context??? This is the gottcha moment for conservatives who all along have been saying Obama is a socialists. The last line of defense Obama supporters can claim after Obama himself proves his critics correct, is to say it was out of context. All of it was in context. He is trying to pave the way for more government confiscation of private resources.
July 21st, 2012 at 7:55 am
If those words are being used to justify higher taxes on the successful, I say those infrastructure projects were paid for with taxes paid prior to those projects being completed… and therefore not dependent upon someone becoming successful because of the creation of that infrastructure.
July 21st, 2012 at 11:51 am
No one, but no one is ‘parsing’ the President’s words.
Obama is parroting what MA democrat senatorial candidate and former Obama appointee, Elizabeth Warren, said during a campaign stop in Dorchester, MA, JUST YESTERDAY:
“I think the basic notion is right. Nobody got rich on their own. Nobody. People worked hard, they build a business, God bless, but they moved their goods on roads the rest of us helped build, they hired employees the rest of us helped educate, they plugged into a power grid the rest of us helped build,” she said.
“The rest of us made those investments because we wanted businesses to flourish, we wanted them to grow, we wanted them to create opportunity for all of us. That’s what we do together. We get richer as a country when we make those investments.”
http://hotair.com/archives/2012/07/19/romney-on-offense-democrats-doubling-down-on-you-didnt-build-it/
Obama and Warren’s statements are reflective of THEIR philosophy about America.
LET’S BE HONEST IN REPORTING.
NO to ALL democrats in America. There is something inherently wrong with their political philosophy.
And Elizabeth Warren, CLAIMED to be a minority- an American Indian- on applications and allowed her employer to state she was a minority.
She is NOT an American Indian, is as white as Bill Clinton. She was JUST USING the status of RACE to advance herself.
Damn shame!
July 21st, 2012 at 12:54 pm
You know that house you ‘own’? Well, workers learned their skills in schools and constructed it, they drove on the roads-so that house is not your’s anymore. It’s the collective’s.
You know that business you ‘own’? Well, the people came into your business and spent their money to help your business, so it’s not your business anymore. It’s the collective’s.
You know that car that you ‘own’? Well, workers were educated in schools and drove on roads to go to work and they created that car, so it’s not your car anymore.
It’s the collective’s car.
NO more individuality, NO more family estates.
What you created will go back to the collective upon your death and your relatives will need to earn their own way instead of getting what you created or earned.
The Obama WAY! The DEMOCRAT WAY!
No more private businesses, no more private homes, no more private vehicles. All that belongs to the collective!
July 21st, 2012 at 1:00 pm
Dear Dee,
We all have choice. It’s simple to choose and abortion, no one KNOWS except you and your physician.
If one elects to have their child, ie, Palin’s daughter, then that is her choice. That is a very public statement cause who walk around with a big belly for all to see, while those whose choice is to have an abortion, do it behind closed doors.
And Palin is not running for the Presidency or any office. It’s Obama and Romney.
Stop bringing up the past, you continue live in the past, you fail to advance in society and personally.
July 21st, 2012 at 1:06 pm
The biggest OUTSOURCING of JOBS was the Space Program.
FL lost over 26,000 space coast jobs when NASA closed down.
Now, the US government PAYS foreign entities hundreds of millions of dollars to send American astronauts into space.
That money is going to foreign workers, not American workers and certainly not the thousands of Floridians who lost their jobs.
OUTSOURCING=Our Space PRogram
put thousands and thousands of American workers out of work and now our government is paying foreign workers to send our astronauts into space.
Shame on Obama, Shame on Senator Bill Nelson of FL who did nothing to stop the closing of our space program.
July 23rd, 2012 at 2:17 pm
Now, the US government PAYS foreign entities hundreds of millions of dollars to send American astronauts into space.
That money is going to foreign workers, not American workers and certainly not the thousands of Floridians who lost their jobs.
July 24th, 2012 at 7:24 am
Obama’s comment rings true again. He shows his ideology which is, you are a ward of the state and if you are successful, we’re going to take your money because you don’t deserve it. Wake up idiots, that’s COMMUNISM.
July 24th, 2012 at 8:29 pm
I am unemployed and don’t want to work. Give me some Obama dollars!!
July 26th, 2012 at 6:18 pm
Obama 2008: “Yes We Can”
Obama 2012 “No You Didn’t
Election 2012 Socialism vs. Capitalism, your choice!
Let America be America again, Vote Romney 2012!
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